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Some of our favorite holiday traditions may have roots in Ireland's turbulent religious history. During the Protestant rule of Ireland, Catholics were forced to practice their religion secretly, and they created a covert holiday song to pass along their beliefs. Even decorations like holly and candles in windows played a role in the quiet rebellion against the Protestant rulers. Beginning on Christmas Day and ending with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, the official Irish Christmas celebration centers around church and family, but you'll find a festive atmosphere leading up to the holiday, filled with Celtic music, mince pies and a pint of Guinness.

Getting There

Ireland has three international airports for transatlantic flights: Belfast in Northern Ireland, Dublin about midway down the east coast, and Shannon, called the gateway to the west. Most flights leave from the east coast of the US, so you may have to take a connecting flight from your home to one of the major hubs. Winters are usually mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. You may want to check into the vacation packages offered by tour operators like Lynott or Ireland’s airline, Aer Lingus.

Where to Stay

Because the Irish take their holiday seriously, many hotels and resorts close from Christmas through Epiphany. You’ll need to book early, since there are only a limited number of accommodations that will be open for visitors. Choose a resort or hotel package that offers meals, as there will not be any restaurants open on Christmas Day, and many stay closed on December 26, called Boxing Day or St. Stephen’s Day. You can celebrate your Christmas in high Irish style at a castle resort or take a self-guided driving tour of the country. If you choose to stay in a larger city like Dublin, you can use public transportation rather than renting a car.

Holiday Food

A traditional Christmas dinner usually features goose or turkey, potatoes, and vegetables, followed by a Christmas pudding or cake, so this is what you can expect at your resort or hotel. Public restaurants are closed on Christmas Day, and sometimes the day after as well. Small mincemeat pies are also a favorite holiday treat, as is mulled wine, but candy canes are not as ubiquitous in Ireland as they are in America. Guinness and Irish whiskey are the social beverages of choice. Instead of milk and cookies, children leave mince pies and a pint of the rich stout for their jolly old St. Nick.

Holiday Traditions

The popular Christmas song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was originally written as a way of teaching the sacraments of the Catholic Church, during the time when Protestant rulers of Ireland forbade its citizens to practice their religion. Christmas in Ireland is still a significant religious holiday, with church services playing a major role in the celebration. Holly is a favored decoration, its green leaves said to represent the crown of thorns, while the berries signify the blood of Jesus. Having a candle in your window indicates hospitality, a generous welcome of Joseph and Mary, but was also a secret way of letting people know that the residents celebrated Mass.

Christmas Shopping

No matter what part of Ireland you visit, you’ll find shops with traditional Irish goods like fine Belleek china, exquisite table linens, Aran fishermen’s sweaters and sparkling Waterford Crystal. Dublin is one of Ireland’s top shopping destinations, with two pedestrian-only shopping streets. While you can purchase Waterford Crystal at several shops throughout the country, a trip to The House of Waterford in Waterford City to watch artisans hand-crafting the luxury crystal is well worth the effort.

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About the Author

Ginger Warder began her career in journalism in 1978. Warder contributes regularly to several national magazines, newspapers and websites, including "France Guide," "Fido Friendly" and "Stars & Stripes." She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, and holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Tennessee Tech.

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